A crucial encounter defines Match 92 of PKL 12 as 8th-placed Tamil Thalaivas host second-placed Dabang Delhi. The league's second-highest raid point scorer, Arjun Deshwal, faces Agent Ashu Malik's brilliance, whilst Nitesh Kumar's exceptional form confronts his Delhi curse in a match with significant playoff implications.

Probable Starting 7

Tamil Thalaivas

  • Right Corner – Sagar Rathee
  • Right In – Arjun Deshwal (C)
  • Right Cover – Ronak
  • Centre – Narender
  • Left Cover – Aashish
  • Left In – Yogesh Yadav
  • Left Corner – Nitesh Kumar

Dabang Delhi

  • Right Corner – Saurabh Nandal
  • Right In – Ajinkya Pawar
  • Right Cover – Surjeet Singh
  • Centre – Naveen
  • Left Cover – Sandeep
  • Left In – Neeraj Narwal
  • Left Corner – Fazel Atrachali (C)

Headlines

➢ Dabang Delhi have qualified for the playoffs
➢ Put up a brave fight against the Paltan without Ashu, losing in a tie-breaker
➢ Ajinkya Pawar stepped up to score a Super 10
➢ Saurabh Nandal gotan excellent High 5, now has the most tackle points for Dabang Delhi in PKL 12
➢ Tamil Thalaivas lose third consecutive game
➢ They are now in 8th place in the table
➢ Arjun Deshwal came back to form with Super 10
➢ Nitesh Kumar and Sagar continue to combine well at corners

Top Stories of the Match

Two Best Raiders in Recent Times: Arjun Deshwal vs Ashu Malik

Arjun Deshwal – The Raid Machine

Raid machine Arjun Deshwal continues leading Tamil Thalaivas' raiding unit, establishing himself as PKL 12's second-highest raid point scorer. His 178 raid points in 16 matches (11.1 average at 56% success rate) with 9 Super 10s represent sustained excellence throughout the season.

Most raid points in PKL 12:

  • Devank: 237 points at 73% SR
  • Arjun Deshwal: 178 points at 56% SR
  • Ayan: 169 points at 68% SR

After a slight slump with success rates of 40% or below in consecutive matches, Arjun rediscovered his form brilliantly against the Gujarat Giants, scoring an excellent Super 10 despite the team's loss.

Last 3 matches:

  • vs Gujarat Giants: 12 points at 50% SR (Super 10)
  • vs UP Yoddhas: 7 points at 39% SR
  • vs Puneri Paltan: 6 points at 40% SR

His tactical mastery across Defenders in Play (DIP) situations demonstrates complete game awareness, with particularly strong performances against full defensive lines:

DIP-wise performance in PKL 12:

  • 6-7 defenders: 112 points at 64% SR (dominant)
  • 4-5 defenders: 31 points at 37% SR
  • 2-3 defenders: 31 points at 54% SR

In his last match against Gujarat Giants, 11 of his 12 raid points came when 6-7 defenders were on the mat, showcasing his preference and excellence in these situations.

Arjun's career milestone adds historical significance – he has now overtaken Pawan Sehrawat to become the raider with the third-most raid points in PKL history:

Most raid points in PKL history:

  • Pardeep Narwal: 1,801
  • Maninder Singh: 1,568
  • Arjun Deshwal: 1,352

Against Dabang Delhi, Arjun boasts an excellent record with consistent performances:

Overall record vs Dabang Delhi:

  • 11 matches
  • 101 raid points (9.2 average, 61% SR)

His 61% success rate against Delhi provides a psychological advantage heading into this crucial encounter.

Ashu Malik – Agent Excellence

Dabang Delhi's raiding machine Ashu Malik, has established himself as PKL 12's second-best raider by average, behind only the unstoppable Devank. His 146 raid points in 12 matches (12.2 average at 62% success rate) with 8 Super 10s represent exceptional consistency.

Best average raid points in PKL 12:

  • Devank: 16.9 average
  • Ashu Malik: 12.2 average
  • Ayan: 12.1 average

His Do-or-Die supremacy remains his defining characteristic, establishing himself as one of only two raiders with perfect 100% success rates in DoD situations (minimum 10 raid points):

Best raid SR% in Do-or-Die situations (10+ raid points):

  • Ashu Malik: 21 points at 100% SR
  • Gagan Gowda: 10 points at 100% SR
  • Ayan: 23 points at 96% SR

This clutch mentality demonstrates extraordinary composure when matches hang in the balance.

Tactical analysis reveals interesting patterns – Ashu performs significantly better in the first half compared to the second half this season:

Half-wise performance in PKL 12:

  • 1st Half: 83 points at 66% SR
  • 2nd Half: 63 points at 57% SR

Against Tamil Thalaivas, Ashu maintains an excellent record with consistent performances:

Overall record vs Tamil Thalaivas:

  • 7 matches
  • 64 raid points (9.1 average, 59% SR)
  • 3 Super 10s

Ashu has received wonderful support from his secondary raiders – Ajinkya Pawar and Neeraj Narwal – creating one of PKL 12's most balanced attacking units:

Dabang Delhi support raiders in PKL 12:

  • Neeraj Narwal: 71 points (4.7 average, 41% SR)
  • Ajinkya Pawar: 56 points (4.0 average, 43% SR)

Ajinkya Pawar demonstrated his value in the last match against Puneri Paltan, stepping up brilliantly in Ashu's absence with a Super 10:

Ajinkya Pawar vs Puneri Paltan (M#79):

  • 16 raids
  • 10 raid points at 63% SR

The former Tamil Thalaivas star will be pumped up to take on his former team in this encounter.

Team Stories

Tamil Thalaivas – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#87 vs Gujarat Giants – Lost 35-42 (7-point defeat)
  • M#84 vs UP Yoddhas – Lost 31-32 (heartbreaking 1-point loss)
  • M#78 vs Puneri Paltan – Lost 23-36 (13-point thrashing)
  • M#69 vs Patna Pirates – Won 56-37 (dominant 19-point victory)
  • M#66 vs Bengaluru Bulls – Lost 29-33 (4-point defeat)

Tamil Thalaivas have lost opportunities to cement their playoff spot, suffering three consecutive defeats that have dropped them to 8th position in the table.

Arjun Deshwal tried his best, scoring a Super 10 in the last match, but it proved insufficient against the Gujarat Giants. Sagar Rathee and Nitesh Kumar continued impressing as a corner pairing, combining for 7 tackle points together.

However, the lack of support from the rest of the team has cost them dearly in this crucial phase of the season.

Nitesh Kumar in Great Form, Will Look to Beat Dabang Delhi Curse

Nitesh Kumar has emerged as PKL 12's leading defender, combining consistent excellence with impressive versatility across all game situations.

Most tackle points in PKL 12:

  • Nitesh Kumar: 60 points (3.8 average, 57% SR)
  • Jaideep: 54 points (3.6 average, 65% SR)
  • Gaurav Khatri: 50 points (3.1 average, 58% SR)

His 5 High 5s and consistent 57% tackle success rate demonstrate sustained excellence throughout PKL 12. More impressively, his performance remains constant regardless of match results:

Performance in wins vs losses:

  • In wins (6 matches): 23 points (3.8 average, 58% SR, 2 High 5s)
  • In losses (10 matches): 37 points (3.7 average, 56% SR, 3 High 5s)

This consistency proves invaluable for Tamil Thalaivas' defensive structure.

Nitesh's tactical versatility across Defenders in Play situations showcases complete defensive mastery:

DIP-wise performance in PKL 12:

  • 6-7 defenders: 32 points at 52% SR
  • 4-5 defenders: 22 points at 63% SR
  • 2-3 defenders: 6 points at 75% SR

His interval-wise analysis reveals particular excellence in the middle periods:

Interval-wise performance in PKL 12:

  • 1-10 minutes: 14 points at 50% SR
  • 11-20 minutes: 15 points at 65% SR
  • 21-30 minutes: 14 points at 54% SR
  • 31-40 minutes: 17 points at 59% SR

However, Nitesh faces his personal nemesis – he has struggled dramatically against Dabang Delhi in all three previous encounters, managing just 2 combined tackle points.

Last 3 matches vs Dabang Delhi:

  • M#87, PKL 11: 1 point at 25% SR
  • M#42, PKL 11: 0 points at 0% SR
  • M#3, PKL 10: 1 point at 50% SR

Breaking this curse will be crucial for both his confidence and Tamil Thalaivas' playoff hopes.

The Thalaivas defence boasts impressive collective statistics, with their covers providing exceptional support:

Most assists in PKL 12:

  • Satyappa Matti: 63
  • Ronak: 62 (2nd)
  • Sandeep: 57
  • Surjeet: 56

Ronak's 62 assists demonstrate excellent defensive awareness and support play for the corner defenders.

Dabang Delhi – PKL 12 So Far

Recent Results:

  • M#79 vs Puneri Paltan – Lost 38(5)-38(6) in tie-breaker
  • M#75 vs Gujarat Giants – Won 39-33 (6-point victory)
  • M#73 vs Bengal Warriorz – Lost 36-37 (1-point defeat)
  • M#70 vs Haryana Steelers – Won 33(9)-33(3) in tie-breaker
  • M#67 vs Jaipur Pink Panthers – Won 29-26 (3-point victory)

Dabang Delhi experienced another nerve-shredding encounter against Puneri Paltan, ultimately losing in the tie-breaker despite leading for most of the match.

Playing without main man Ashu Malik didn't faze the team – Ajinkya Pawar took responsibility magnificently with a Super 10. However, Puneri Paltan's late comeback snatched victory from Delhi's grasp.

The result won't trouble Delhi excessively – they have already qualified for the playoffs and sit comfortably in 2nd position in the table. Ashu Malik was rested as a precautionary measure, ensuring he's fresh for the business end of the season.

Saurabh Nandal Overtakes Fazel to Become Delhi's Top Defender

Dabang Delhi's defence has been exceptional this season, averaging over 11 tackle points per match with the league's joint-best tackle success rate:

Dabang Delhi defence unit in PKL 12:

  • 166 tackle points in 15 matches (11.1 average)
  • 48% tackle SR

Best tackle SR% in PKL 12:

  • Gujarat Giants: 48%
  • Dabang Delhi: 48%
  • Puneri Paltan: 47%

Remarkably, their defensive performance remains excellent regardless of match outcomes:

Performance in wins vs losses:

  • In wins (12 matches): 134 points (11.2 average, 49% SR)
  • In losses (3 matches): 32 points (10.7 average, 44% SR)

This consistency demonstrates the defensive unit's reliability under all circumstances.

Saurabh Nandal has been in sensational form from the right corner, recently overtaking legendary Fazel Atrachali to become Delhi's leading defender in PKL 12.

His excellent High 5 performance against Puneri Paltan showcased his current form:

Saurabh Nandal vs Puneri Paltan (M#79):

  • 10 tackles
  • 6 tackle points at 60% SR

Current PKL 12 statistics:

  • 45 tackle points (3.0 average, 63% SR)
  • 3 High 5s

Saurabh now has one more tackle point than the Iranian legend Fazel Atrachali this season.

Fazel Atrachali maintains excellent numbers himself, averaging nearly 3 points at a solid 56% success rate with 24 assists:

Fazel Atrachali in PKL 12:

  • 44 tackle points (2.9 average, 56% SR)
  • 3 High 5s
  • 24 assists

The friendly competition between the corners has yielded excellent results for Delhi, particularly in recent matches:

Last 5 matches comparison:

  • Saurabh Nandal: 19 points (3.8 average, 73% SR)
  • Fazel Atrachali: 13 points (2.6 average, 50% SR)

The cover defenders provide exceptional support, ranking among the league's best:

Most assists in PKL 12:

  • Satyappa Matti: 63
  • Ronak: 62
  • Sandeep: 57 (3rd)
  • Surjeet: 56 (4th)

Both Sandeep and Surjeet's 57 and 56 assists respectively demonstrate they're supporting Fazel and Saurabh Nandal excellently. This creates an ideal scenario where corners rack up points whilst covers provide crucial assists and support.

Head-to-Head in PKL

Overall: Matches – 12 | Tamil Thalaivas – 2 | Dabang Delhi – 8 | Tied – 2

Since PKL 9: Matches – 6 | Tamil Thalaivas – 2 | Dabang Delhi – 3 | Tied – 1

Dabang Delhi have dominated the overall matchup, winning 8 of 12 encounters. They're currently on a three-match winning streak and won both matches between these sides last season.

Recent Form (Last 5 meetings):

  • PKL 11 M#87: Dabang Delhi won 32-21 (11-point victory)
  • PKL 11 M#42: Dabang Delhi won 39-26 (13-point victory)
  • PKL 10 M#120: Dabang Delhi won 45-43 (2-point thriller)
  • PKL 10 M#3: Tamil Thalaivas won 42-31 (11-point victory)
  • PKL 9 M#111: Match tied 37-37

The match carries significant importance for Tamil Thalaivas' playoff hopes, whilst Dabang Delhi have already secured qualification.

Key Player Battles

Tamil Thalaivas' Raiders vs Dabang Delhi's Defenders

  • Arjun Deshwal 16-5 Fazel Atrachali
  • Arjun Deshwal 11-6 Saurabh Nandal
  • Arjun Deshwal 9-2 Surjeet Singh
  • Arjun Deshwal 3-0 Sandeep
  • Narender Kandola 7-7 Fazel Atrachali
  • Narender Kandola 7-9 Saurabh Nandal

Dabang Delhi's Raiders vs Tamil Thalaivas' Defenders

  • Ashu Malik 2-0 Nitesh Kumar
  • Ashu Malik 3-0 Sagar Rathee
  • Neeraj Narwal 4-3 Sagar Rathee

What to Expect

This encounter promises tactical intrigue as Tamil Thalaivas desperately fight for playoff qualification against already-qualified Dabang Delhi. The battle between two elite raiders – Arjun Deshwal's experience versus Ashu Malik's consistency – will likely prove decisive.

Nitesh Kumar's quest to break his Delhi curse adds fascinating subtext, whilst the corner battles between Sagar-Nitesh and Saurabh-Fazel will determine defensive supremacy.

Expect a closely contested affair where Tamil Thalaivas' desperation meets Delhi's championship composure. The team executing their game plan more consistently will emerge victorious, with Arjun Deshwal needing strong support to overcome Delhi's balanced excellence.

Match Details

  • Match: Tamil Thalaivas vs Dabang Delhi – Match 92, PKL Season 12
  • Date: Friday, 17th October 2025
  • Time: 8:30 PM IST
  • Venue: Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi
  • LIVE Streaming: Watch LIVE on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar. For LIVE scores and updates, visit prokabaddi.com or download the Pro Kabaddi Official App..

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